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Till Death Do Us Part Or Sooner
Helpful Hints Regarding Separation And Divorce

By: Peter E. McArdle

You have all heard the horror stories. An unsuspecting person comes home from work one day only to find that his/her spouse has cleaned out the furniture, emptied the bank account and moved to another state with the children. A lawsuit has already been filed, and nasty allegations have been made. The husband and wife spend the next several months or even years of their lives fighting tooth and nail in the court system.

The purpose of this article is to provide some guidance to persons who might be contemplating separation and divorce. With proper planning and guidance in the early stages of the process, a couple’s separation and divorce can often be handled more effectively and with less bloodshed. A couple of points to remember or to pass along to a family member or friend contemplating separation:

• Pay attention to your family finances during your marriage: Without knowledge regarding your family’s income and assets, it will be more difficult for your attorney to advise you properly. While financial information can be obtained though legal means, you will help yourself by having a firm handle on this information.
  
  
• Seek legal consultation sooner – not later: It seems as though married persons are sometimes incapable or unwilling to assess their own marital situation objectively as he/she may be too close to the fire. An experienced family law attorney will be in a much better position to assess your situation and advise you properly. Effective planning prior to a separation can pay huge dividends and make your life easier down the road. Family law attorneys typically allow for a one-time consultation with prospective clients.
  
  
• Gather important financial documents: As your lawyer is bound to ask you various questions regarding your finances, you would be well-advised to make copies of important documents like tax returns, bank statements, credit card statements, retirement information and deeds to real estate. Bring these documents to your lawyer’s office.
  
  
• Ask your attorney whether it would be advisable to hire a Private Investigator: In certain instances, evidence of your spouse’s infidelity might be important to your case and situation. However, it is important to consult an attorney before investing in a Private Investigator.
  
  
• Consider the impact upon the children: When children are involved in a separation and divorce, parents should place the interests of the children at the forefront. Parents should try to maintain family routines and continuity to the extent possible and ensure that both parents are allowed quality time with the children on a frequent and regular basis.
  
  

Peter E. McArdle is a family law attorney in the Charlotte office of Knox, Brotherton, Knox and Godfrey. He can be reached at (704) 372-1360 or pmcardle@knoxlawcenter.com.